Guessing the future that awaits us after graduation..?? :-(

GRADUATION: Now What Am I Supposed to Do?

“All that stands between the graduate and the top of the ladder is the ladder.” - Anonymous

What’s the Scoop

Approaching is the long-awaited day where you’ll put on the long gown and hat with tassel to carry your “official” degree across the stage with many proud onlookers staring back at you. Or, perhaps you’ll have your degree mailed to you while you’re off travelling the world or occupied with other exciting adventures. You may have already received your degree and now you’re a little confused about the next step.

No matter what situation you’re in, prior to and after your convocation day, many of you will ask or at least consider the question, "Is there life after graduation?" For many, graduation symbolizes the closing of one door and the opening of another. The open door may lead to a “real” job in the workforce or perhaps to another degree in graduate school or diploma in technical school. Regardless of what door you’re standing in front of, it’s beneficial to consider your options and make some short- and long-term plans to ensure you’re on the proper footing to get your career on the go.

What Do I Need to Know

While some of you may be heading back to school after your first or second degree and may need some help choosing an educational direction, a good majority of you are taking the next step of heading into the workforce. It’s time to decide what occupational areas pique your interest and where you’d like to put your energy to broaden your knowledge, skills and experience.

One of the first things to keep in mind is that the working world has changed a little since your parents and grandparents signed up for their first jobs. Careers in the 21st century are evolving, variable, and require continuous flexibility and skill development. You’ll have to step up, take the reins into your own hands, and be your own career manager. This translates into taking an active role in shaping the direction of your career by keeping an eye open for opportunities that will advance your career forward.

While planning for your future, you should reflect on certain factors that will play a role when choosing your occupational area. You need to take into account your:

* Values, learning style, personality and interests
* Marital and family plans and opinions of parents and partners
* Financial requirements and social status needs
* Work experiences, academic ability and achievement, and leisure experiences

As you can see, there’s much to reflect on when making a career decision. To make the process smoother, the Career Decision-Making Model assures that you’ll be able to make a well thought-out choice. Don’t worry, we won’t leave you stranded without proper details, but other topics may be of interest to you if you’re near graduation and stumped about what direction to take.

Key Sub Topics

* Choosing an Educational Direction
* Career Development
* Managing Change


How Do I Get Started

Your first move is to reach a decision-making point. Even if you’re not that close to walking the stage, it can be helpful to begin the process of determining occupational alternatives anywhere from two years to six months before graduation. Starting early will get you ahead of the game by giving you enough time to work on your job search before you’re strapped for cash and desperate for a job (okay, this is probably some of you already, but we’re talking really desperate!). Now, it’s fine if you’ve left making a decision until closer to your graduation date but realize that it could take time after finishing school to get career-related employment if you’re thinking of going to the workforce.

Remember, once you’re ready to make a decision, you’ll have to commit time and energy to follow through with your plans. Before jumping to the next stage, it’s a good idea to make an Occupational Criteria List. On here, you’ll record important criteria to evaluate your occupational options with. Try to keep your criteria as clear and specific as possible.

The second step of the process is likely the most important: researching. Start with yourself. You need to think about your lifestyle factors – what you currently have and what you’d like to have in your future. Things like income level, work hours, and amount of travel are just some of the criteria that should be on your list. What about goals? Have you always had some life or career goals in mind related to working, buying a house, having a family, volunteering, or your leisure activities? For some factors, you’ll need to think hard about your personal preferences to determine what tops your priority list when seeking an occupational area.

* Your work values need to be compatible with your working position. Your work will feel unfulfilling and worthless if your values are in conflict or aren’t being met in your career. What do you value? Autonomy, respect, or routine? Flexibility, power, or status?
* You need to consider what skills you have – including specialist skills (specific to performing a particular occupation), generalist skills (are versatile like communication skills), and personal skills (used to manage your environment and the people in it). Most occupations are composed of 80% generalist and 20% specialist skills.
* Your working style is also important. Are you outgoing and personable and like to work closely with others? Are you analytical, task-oriented, and independent?
* What are your interests? A job that satisfies your interests will likely motivate you and maintain your attention. To explore your interests, you may try making a list of 15-20 things you love to do – alone or with others, as part of a job, or with family, or in a leisure activity. Look for common themes among your interests.
* Take a look at your time spent in University in courses, summer employment, volunteering, in clubs, etc. What experiences stand out? What did you like about those experiences? What did you dislike? What was meaningful?

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